THE IMPORTANCE OF PEDIATRIC SURGICAL PATIENT SAFETY FOR THE NURSING STAFF

Abstract

The aim of this study was to learn the importance of safety for nursing staff who work with pediatric surgical patients. Content method analysis was carried out using 20 nursing professional discourses from a maternal and child health federal public hospital located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Data were collected during the period from March to June, 2015. The staff acknowledged the need for safe nursing care through elements such as: fall prevention; infections; exercising ethics; and use of protocols. The professionals did not clearly mention communication as an essential element of safety. Other elements that were not pointed out either referred to patient identification, ulcer prevention by pressure, and promotion of a safe environment. The creation of a safety culture must be encouraged in order to achieve a better nursing practice performance in pediatric surgery.

Keywords

• Pediatric nursing
• Patient safety
• Surgery